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Dazzling looks, memorable moments, and award sweeps: The best of the 2023 Oscars

Actors, producers, and creative souls from all over arrived at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre to strut their sparkle down the 2023 Oscars’ champagne carpet. The event, otherwise known as Hollywood’s night of nights, was always set to break records and draw attention from film fanatics across the globe - hopefully for all the right reasons - with the likes of Everything Everywhere All at Once, Elvis, The Banshees of Inisherin, and Top Gun: Maverick up for Best Picture. In fact, Everything Everywhere All at Once was nominated for 11 awards by itself, with All Quiet on the Western Front and The Banshees of Inisherin following right behind with an astounding nine nominations each. Everything Everywhere All at Once snagged a staggering seven awards in the end - most notably, the cast and crew secured the top honour of Best Picture for all of their hard work. In the Hollywood comeback of the decade, Best Actor went to Brendan Fraser for his part in The Whale, and Best Actress to the multi-talented Michelle Yeoh for her performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once, who took the opportunity to remind women everywhere that “you are never past your prime”. Michelle also made history with her win as both the first Best Actress nominee and winner to openly identify as Asian. Meanwhile, their supporting award counterparts went to Everything Everywhere All at Once’s Ke Huy Quan and Jamie Lee Curtis. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when Ke Huy Quan accepted his award - and made history as the first Vietnam-born actor to ever do so. He began by thanking his 84-year-old mother, who was watching from the comfort of home, saying “my journey started on a boat. I spent a year in a refugee camp, and somehow I ended up here on Hollywood’s biggest stage. “They say stories like this only happen in the movies. I can’t believe it’s happening to me - this is the American dream.” Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert snagged Best Director for Everything Everywhere All at Once. And for those with a great appreciation for the songs that make moments come to life, MM Keeravaani and Chandrabose were awarded Best Song for the catchy hit ‘Naatu Naatu’ in RRR. The ceremony also saw special guest appearances from The Banshees of Inisherin’s Jenny the Donkey, a fuzzy bear presenter, and appearances from a whole host of stars - as well as an emotional tribute to those Hollywood had lost over the past year, with John Travolta’s emotional words for the late Olivia Newton-John, to whom he remains “hopelessly devoted”. But, of course, the Oscars aren’t only about who goes home with the coveted golden statues, and the stars paraded down the champagne carpet - formerly the red carpet - in typical fashion in a shower of shoulder pads, sparkle, and swagger. Check out 2023’s best dressed and top moments below, and the <a href="https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2023">full list of winners here</a>. Images: Getty

Movies

“Good things will happen”: Brendan Fraser breaks down at Critics Choice Awards

Actor Brendan Fraser, best known for his roles in The Mummy trilogy and George of the Jungle, broke down in tears at the 2023 Critics Choice Awards while accepting the honour of Best Actor for his role in Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale. “I was in the wilderness,” Brendan said to his director, after making his way through the cheers and celebration of his colleagues to the stage, “and I probably should have left a trail of breadcrumbs, but you found me.” Brendan’s win comes after over a decade since his last leading role in a major film, and 13 years without an awards nomination. The actor, 54, thanked director Darren Aronofsky for the role set to revitalise his career in a heartfelt dedication. “Like all the best directors,” he went on, “you merely just showed me where to go to get to where I needed to be.” In The Whale, Brendan portrays a depressed 270 kg English teacher named Charlie, who is seeking to restore his relationship with his estranged daughter. Brendan underwent an immense physical transformation and donned prosthetics for the role, but it was the emotional weight of his experience that shone through in his speech. “If you - like a guy like Charlie, who I played in this movie - in any way, if you struggle with obesity, or you just feel like you are in a dark sea, I want you to know that if you too can just have this strength to just get to your feet and go to the light,” he said, voice breaking, “good things will happen.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Brendan Fraser’s acceptance speech after winning Best Actor 😭🖤 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CriticsChoiceAwards?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CriticsChoiceAwards</a> <a href="https://t.co/iQgFe4FnjS">pic.twitter.com/iQgFe4FnjS</a> — Natalie ❁ (@livelyackles) <a href="https://twitter.com/livelyackles/status/1614817219917250561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2023</a></blockquote> Brendan’s emotions ran high backstage, with the modest actor’s gratitude flowing well into the night, telling one reporter, “I had no idea what this would feel like because I had no idea. I’m still pretty new to this so you’ll forgive me if I’m still trying to get used to it. Maybe I never will and that’s okay. But I know I’m grateful.” Fans of the actor took to social media to share their delight at his success, many opening up about their own tears as they saw Brendan recognised after decades of hardship in the industry. “Definitely didn’t expect for Brendan Fraser to make me teary today haha. Glad he won. He’s a great guy and deserves the award,” tweeted one fan, to an outpouring of likes from like-minded supporters. “So happy for him! I want him to win the Oscar he deserves it,” chimed another, amid growing Oscars buzz after a thus far successful awards season for the film and Brendan’s performance. With the nominations for the 95th Academy Awards set to be announced on the 24th of January, and many outlets predicting nominations in the categories of Best Actor and Best Picture for The Whale, things are looking good for the talented cast and crew behind the film.

Movies

Pat Rafter delves into “rift” between Ash Barty and US player

Aussie great Pat Rafter has opened up about the tension during Ash Barty’s match against her 2022 Australian Open final opponent, Danielle Collins. The now retired tennis star smashed the American 6-3 7-6 (7-2) which saw Barty claim her first home slam and the third of her career. Almost 12 months later, Rafter has opened up about the tension the pair had in which Barty didn’t want to lose to the American star and vice versa. “I knew with her and Danielle, they had a bit of a … what’s the word? There was no love lost anyway,” Rafter told reporters ahead of the United Cup. “Danielle’s pretty feisty. And Ash didn’t want to lose to her.” He said that there was a bit of worry when he saw Barty get “rattled” on court before getting out of her head and smashing the game. “It was pretty funny, I don’t know how much you can pick up on the on-court subtleties of it but I’m pretty aware of Ash and I understand where her mind’s at and I can see all her little movements and ticks,” Rafter continued. “I was going, ‘oh no, she’s getting rattled, she’s not good’. But she was able to pull it out which was pretty important. “I would have hated to see her get to the final and lose because she was the dominant player. I like seeing the best players win.” After her successful win, the now 26-year-old shocked the tennis world by announcing her retirement from the game. She recently got married to her longtime partner Garry Kissick and is currently working at Optus. Image: Getty

News

Lisa’s lawyer’s hefty daily charge

Lisa Wilkinson is being charged an eye-watering $11,000 a day for a high-profile lawyer following her speech at the Logies. Channel 10 has hired Australian Bar Association president Dr Matthew Collins QC for The Project host after her speech caused significant delays to the Brittany Higgins case, which was due to start this week.The case has now been postponed to October. Dr Collins is famous for winning high-profile cases - one of them being Rebel Wilson’s against Bauer Media, as well as YouTuber Jordan Shanks against former NSW deputy premier John Barilaro. The lawyer says it’s possible that Wilkinson could be charged with contempt of court, and admitted she should have known better. “It's certainly possible that the authorities will be looking at the speech that she made to the Logies and assessing that speech against the standard which applies in this branch of the law,” he said on Sunrise. “That standard is, did anything that she do have a tendency to interfere with the administration of justice? “You would hope that whenever the media is contemplating running a story about a serious criminal trial which is about to begin, they would be attune to the potential risks. “The mainstream media understands the risk inhering with talking about cases which are about to go to trial, particularly serious high-profile cases.” Wilkinson was already slammed for her comments last week by Chief Justice Lucy McCallum after rescheduling the case. It comes as Channel 10 warns publications of their criticism of Wilkinson and are not ruling out legal action for any harm that is caused. “This reporting is now causing significant harm and we ask these organisations to cease this harassment to allow Lisa the best opportunity to give her evidence in court and to enable the trial to go ahead in a fair and timely manner,” a spokesperson for the network said. “We are closely monitoring all coverage of this issue and Lisa and Network 10 reserve their rights in respect of any future defamation claims.” Images: Nine/Seven

Legal

Tributes flow for one of our oldest WWII veterans

One of Australia's oldest surviving World War II veterans, Bert Collins has died. Aged 105, he was the oldest member of the Australian Labor Party.Albert "Bert" Collins was due to celebrate his 106th birthday in March.Tributes recognising and remembering the Bankstown local have been posted online following news of his death. "My friend Bert Collins passed away this morning," Blaxland MP Jason Clare said."Bert was the oldest member of the Australian Labor Party."He would have turned 106 next month. Rest in Peace old friend."<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Sad news. My friend Bert Collins passed away this morning. Bert was the oldest member of the ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/AustralianLabor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AustralianLabor</a>⁩ Party. He would have turned 106 next month. Rest In Peace old friend. <a href="https://t.co/kN0Td8I2wz">pic.twitter.com/kN0Td8I2wz</a>— Jason Clare MP (@JasonClareMP) <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonClareMP/status/1492753650015703040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2022</a></blockquote>The Labor Party also posted "Vale Bert Collins" on social media.Mr Collins rose to the rank of a sergeant in the 52nd Australian Composite Anti-Aircraft Regiment (AIF) based in Papua New Guinea.The veteran's Anzac spirit has never wavered and was a quality admired by many."When I was a boy, my Mum instilled in me a very important lesson, which I've lived by my entire life," he told the Canterbury-Bankstown Council last year."She said I must remember to never be rude to anyone, to never tell lies and to always show respect towards others … and I have every day of my life."Image: Nine News

Caring

Phil Collins sparks serious health concerns

Phil Collins has sparked concerns about his health after an interview on BBC Breakfast. Appearing with his Genesis band members to promote the group's reunion tour, the 70-year-old musician said his son, Nic Collins would be drumming for the band going forward. When asked why he wouldn't be drumming, Collins said, "I'd love to but you know, I mean, I can barely hold a stick with this hand. So there are certain physical things that get in the way." Collins will still be singing with that band, but admitted he will miss drumming live. He said, "I'm kind of physically challenged a bit which is very frustrating because I'd love to be playing up there with my son." He isn't sure he will be touring much longer after the reunion shows, which have already been postponed due to the pandemic. "We're all men of our age, and I think to some extent, I think it probably is putting it to bed," he said. "I think yeah, I think just generally for me, I don't know if I want to go out on the road anymore." Fans were upset about the news of his declining health, and took to Twitter to wish him well. One fan wrote, “Shocked and sad to see #PhilCollins physical health and wish I could see #Genesis ‘Put to Bed’ U.K. tour. First fell in love with Genesis in the mid 80s as a teen, progressing to Phil Collin’s unique multi-gifted musical genius as a solo artist." Another posted, “Aww just seen Phil Collins on BBC Breakfast. He doesn’t look at all well.” A third said, “Wow. Watching Phil Collins speak, again, what a reminder to live life to the full and awareness of our time on earth.” Collins has had health issues for many years, including a series of broken bones and had major back surgery in 2015 which left him with lasting nerve damage. He also suffered from a fall in 2017, which left him relying on a cane to assist with walking. Image credit: Getty Images

Music

Joan Collins shuts down Piers Morgan over Meghan Markle question

In a new interview with Piers Morgan, Dame Joan Collins stayed tight-lipped when asked about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry on Morgan’s ITV series “Life Stories”. “What do you make of what’s going on with the British royal family now, with Meghan, Harry, the feud, with [Prince] William, [Prince] Charles?” Morgan asked. The Dynasty star - who was made a dame in 2014 by the Queen - wasn’t interested in sharing her opinion on the reported feud between Harry, his brother, and their father. “My lips are sealed on that subject,” she said. “I just don’t want to go on national TV and say what I think about Meghan and Harry, because look what happened to you.” Morgan seemed to appreciate her response and said: “Exactly - thank you.” The former morning show host’s repeated criticism of Markle following the Sussexes’ interview with Oprah Winfrey saw him walk off the set and quit Good Morning Britain in April. Earlier this month, he accused the Duchess of Sussex of telling “downright lies” and called her “Princess Pinocchio” over the weekend. Image: news.com.au

"Bubble boy" Thomas Collins dies after being unable to return home to QLD

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> A young boy who struggled with an auto-immune disease for most of his life passed away on Saturday. Thomas Collins was just 3 years old when he died after being diagnosed with Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) just days after he was born. The deficiency means he has no ability to fight off diseases and makes the risk of infections life-threatening. He spent 858 days in the hospital and was kept in a "plastic bubble" to stop him from catching diseases. Tom's conditions worsened while in a Melbourne hospital and the young family weren't able to move back to Queensland for support from their other family members due to COVID-19 restrictions. Tom's parents Leah and Morgan Collins have been fighting for their son to be let into Brisbane as he was nearing the end of his days but were unable to get a response from Queensland Health in time. The reason the family were in Melbourne was due to a specialist in a Melbourne hospital being the only person who could deliver the treatment Tom needed. The family shared their heartbreak on Facebook. <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ftomsbattle%2Fposts%2F913107189094286&show_text=true&width=552&height=760&appId" width="552" height="760" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe> “It is with deepest sorrow and fractured hearts that we tell you of Thomas’s passing this evening,” the Collins family posted on Facebook. “He passed peacefully in the arms of his parents. “Despite our best efforts we were unable to get him home to Queensland. “No response from Qld was received in time. We understood the potential conditions were very distressing and would have separated our family during transport. “We would then be forced to quarantine in the room he would have passed in as he was unlikely to survive 14 days quarantine. “We chose to do what our son needed most, which was to be with his parents in a peaceful environment to the end. We were able to do that for him.” “Sadly, we now have a choice between 14-day hotel quarantine, or wait 14 days south of the border to get back to Queensland, via NSW,” they said. “We wished we could be surrounded by family during this time but this is the hand we have been dealt.” </div> </div> </div>

Caring

MasterChef fans in tears over star's exit

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> MasterChef fans watched on in horror as they said goodbye to a fan favourite, "Dumpling King" Brendan Pang. Brendan hung up his apron after an intense two-round elimination, but no one was more shocked and saddened by his departure than his friend Reece. Brendan served up a seafood noodle creation after changing his plan to serve dumplings with at least one ingredient from the five display pantries, which were sweet, salty, bitter, sour and umami. He was outdone by other competitors, including Reynold's duck with pickled beetroot and date puree as well as Tessa Boersma's scarlet prawns. The end result was emotional for Brendan and his friend Reece, as their banter quickly became a fan favourite on Back To Win. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CAeJqQCAYUa/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CAeJqQCAYUa/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">How can one person be so annoying @reecehignell 😭 #MasterChefAU</a> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/brendan_pang/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> BRENDAN PANG</a> (@brendan_pang) on May 21, 2020 at 6:07pm PDT </div> </blockquote> “Are you more confident now than you were a month ago?” Jock Zonfrillo had asked. “I doubt myself a lot,” Brendan, who came ninth on MasterChef in 2018, said as his eyes welled. “It’s really hard coming back for a second time, but you guys have made it worthwhile,” he added with a whisper, desperately trying to fight back his tears. “Normally we love umami in bucketloads, but on a day that was all about balance, unfortunately, there was one dish that elevated it way too far above the others,” Jock explained when delivering the news. Responding, Brendan said: “I can’t feel anything right now,” prompting Melissa to issue an emotional farewell. “You came back to win with a very clear idea of who you are and what you want to cook, and you showed us that in spades. “We haven’t been standing here very long, but I am 100 per cent sure that we have eaten the best dumplings that this kitchen has ever seen,” she said, adding: “We feel a lot of love for you. You will be missed, and we cannot wait to come and see you when this is over.” Fans were sad over the departure. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> I knew if he went out I’d be sad but ugh I’m just a blubbering mess. We’ll miss your sweet soft spoken commentary and mouth watering dishes <a href="https://twitter.com/brendan_pang?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@brendan_pang</a> 👏🏽👏🏽 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MasterchefAU?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MasterchefAU</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/masterchefau?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@masterchefau</a> — Shanice (@lostgirl23) <a href="https://twitter.com/lostgirl23/status/1274662755107172352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2020</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Can’t believe this is happening. My heart is breaking for Reece and Brendan both. I’m gonna miss seeing this two interacting on my screen, absolutely smashing toxic masculinity and celebrating platonic friendships with every witty banter exchanged <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MasterChefAU?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MasterChefAU</a> <a href="https://t.co/MlWfbVpuNB">pic.twitter.com/MlWfbVpuNB</a> — Fiza Zali (@fizawanders) <a href="https://twitter.com/fizawanders/status/1274661458001838080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2020</a></blockquote> Reece posted a sweet tribute on his Instagram, saying that he was "completely devastated to see you leave tonight". <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CBslckrjzT1/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CBslckrjzT1/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Cakeboi (@reecehignell)</a> on Jun 21, 2020 at 5:12am PDT </div> </blockquote> "Season 10 sisters for life. <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/audreys/" target="_blank" class="_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtflink">#audreys</a>," Reece wrote. "Completely devastated to see you leave tonight however, I know all the amazing things you have going for you back home. Your new cook book has me cooking Chinese every second night and <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/bumplingsperth/" target="_blank" class="_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtflink">@bumplingsperth</a> 🥟 is the hottest thing in Perth at the moment - cannot wait to come over and have my free dinners. "So grateful we got to do MasterChef together again - now go kill it!!!!🌈 Slay sis," Reece finished. Brendan runs a Chinese-Mauritian dumpling restaurant in Perth called Bumplings in Perth and has written a cookbook called This is a Book about Dumplings. </div> </div> </div>

Food & Wine

MasterChef viewers call out “creepy” moment between guest judge and Brendan Pang

MasterChef fans on social media were left feeling uneasy after an awkward moment during Tuesday night’s intense pressure test. The episode saw contestants Brendan Pang, Reece Hignell, Poh Ling Yeow and Sarah Tiong, tasked with recreating a flavour-packed and super spicy jungle curry without a recipe. But a clearly stressed out Brendan didn’t know how to react after he received a strange comment by the guest judge – one many have surely been faced with before – and it rubbed viewers the wrong way. As the 24-year-old sweated profusely and panicked over his curry paste, guest judge Benjamin Cooper of Chin Chin Melbourne told him to “smile”. “You want some advice?” Benjamin had asked while Brendan stressed over his curry. “I saw you smile earlier on … I feel like there's a bit of cheekiness in you,” he said. “Lose the stress, bring the cheekiness back. Don't be afraid to load it up with chilli. Don't be afraid to bring a bit of fun back to the dish. And enjoy it, 'cause cooking stressed isn't going to give you the result you want. “Show me the smile,” he added, to which Brendan laughed awkwardly. “I'm trying to smile!” he said. Fans called the moment out as “awkward”, “cringe” and even “weird and uncomfortable”. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Errrrmmmm... I’m getting bad juju from the Chin Chin dude. The way he approached Brendan and asked him to smile. Sooo awks. *shudder* <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MasterChefAU?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MasterChefAU</a> — Nikki Rivera (@twitnikki) <a href="https://twitter.com/twitnikki/status/1270297243300446210?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> the chef from Chin Chin asking Brendan to “show me that smile” gave me big men asking women to smile energy it felt weird and uncomfortable? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MasterChefAU?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MasterChefAU</a> — Isha Bassi (@Isha_Bassi) <a href="https://twitter.com/Isha_Bassi/status/1270297068964216833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Brendan has 10 minutes to cook his curry AND remember to smile. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MasterChefAU?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MasterChefAU</a> <a href="https://t.co/1Wtv90pUeu">pic.twitter.com/1Wtv90pUeu</a> — Tara Watson (@tara_watson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/tara_watson_/status/1270299692283224064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2020</a></blockquote> But despite the strange moment, the judges loved Brendan’s version of the jungle curry. Instead, Sarah Tiong was sent home after her curry broth was deemed “too thin”.

Food & Wine

Ageless Joan Collins celebrates birthday in glamour

Joan Collins, in all her beauty and grace, has left fans desperate to know how she has managed to keep her youthful glow as she celebrated her 87th birthday on the weekend. The legendary actress spent her special day in the company of her husband Percy Gibson, 55. Taking to Instagram, Collins shared a photograph of the pair holding up a tiny birthday cake perfect for two. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CAkMpChFmD5/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CAkMpChFmD5/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Joan Collins (@joancollinsdbe)</a> on May 24, 2020 at 2:28am PDT </div> </blockquote> Joan looked simply stunning and dressed in an elegant white number, and finished off the look with understated jewellery and a slicked back hairstyle. Joan's husband, who is 32 years her junior, looked playful and happy as he put his arm around his wife. “It wasn't just a happy birthday it was a sensational one – I'm still reeling from the brilliant surprises,” she wrote Joan has received lots of messages from loving fans on social media and a few comments on how good she looked at 87. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CAiQpj0FLWl/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CAiQpj0FLWl/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">First thing in the morning my loving #ahubby showered me with #flowers #gifts and #surprises - more to come! 🎂🎉🎁</a> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/joancollinsdbe/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Joan Collins</a> (@joancollinsdbe) on May 23, 2020 at 8:25am PDT </div> </blockquote> "You look breathtakingly young- the secret please x" one fan remarked. Another said: "Looking very loved and beautifull.. you never seem to get any older." The performer admitted she has hopes of living until 100 years old. "Will I outlive you all? No, I don’t want that," she said during an interview with Mirror Online. "I’ll settle for 100 years old, like Olivia de Havilland, who played Melanie in Gone With The Wind. She lives in Paris and is still going strong".

Beauty & Style

Businesses can refuse service to sick customers as containment efforts continue

People with flu-like symptoms can be turned away from any shop or workplace as part of measures to prevent a second wave of coronavirus. Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy said he would “protect” and “defend” the rights of business owners and employers to turn away customers and staff members who are unwell. “All of us over our lives have been on occasions wanting to soldier on with a cold and a flu, flu-like illness – we cannot do that anymore,” he told reporters on Sunday. “If one of your colleagues, or an employee, or a client turns up you have every right to say, ‘go away, I am not going to let you in, I am not going to treat you’ ... unless you’re a doctor, of course.” Professor Murphy also warned Australians against hanging out in shopping centres as states and territories begin easing their coronavirus restrictions. “We have also seen pictures of people crowded in shopping malls, in other circumstances where they have not been observing the social distancing norms that are part of our new way of behaving,” he said. “So if you’re going to a shopping centre to buy something, go and buy something but don’t hang around the shopping centre for half-an-hour mingling for no purpose – go home.” Professor Murphy said Australia could risk seeing another widespread community transmission, also known as “second wave” of coronavirus, if people fail to uphold social distancing norms and hand hygiene practices. “It is as much about the rules and regulations as it is about personal responsibility and I really want to emphasise that point,” he said. Preventing widespread community transmission is vital to protect the elderly and those with chronic conditions, he said. “People have said to me, why don’t you just protect really carefully all those with chronic conditions and the elderly; make sure they are well cocooned away from everyone else in society?” he said. “As we have seen already, that’s just not possible, if you’ve got widespread community transmission. This virus is incredibly infectious.”

Legal

Erin Molan tears up in heartfelt radio interview

Channel 9 star Erin Molan was reduced to tears during an “emotional” live radio interview on Thursday. The presenter became embroiled in an ugly trolling storm following allegations on Sunday she has fallen out with TV colleague and rugby legend Andrew Johns. The Sunday Telegraph reported a breakdown between the working relationship of Molan and Jones resulted in him removing himself from the network’s Friday night rugby league coverage. The Daily Telegraph reported a “feud” between the two stars began in 2017 when she replaced Paul “Fatty” Vautin as host of The Footy Show. Since the news broke, Molan has been up against a slew of “disgusting” and “inexcusable” trolling. While on the air with 101.7 WSFM’s Jonesy and Amanda, the Channel 9 presenter explained she came on set wearing sunglasses because she had been unable to sleep the night before. “I am so sorry, I haven’t put my contacts in this morning. I had a rough night. I didn’t sleep very well and these are prescriptions,” Molan said. Breakfast radio duo Brendan Jones and Amanda Keller have both spoken out against the online vitriol against Molan, with Keller’s voice cracking under emotional strain when she said the whole situation “p*ssed her off”. “I get emotional with this Erin, I don’t understand why people give you a hard time,” she said. “It pisses me off. And I think it’s because you are so professional and you are so good at your job, that I think that men don’t like you being good at what they still see as their world. I admire the pants off you or the eyeballs off you and I just think you are the most professional female and it’s threatened, everybody.” Keller reached for the tissues after she watched as Molan teared up over the kind words. “And I just think in a few years time people will look back — same as the Adam Goodes thing — and think what did we do to her,” Keller said. “Why did we do that? All strength to you Erin. You’re an amazing woman and I hate that you’re going through this.” Keller added: “Your daughter would be so proud of you. You’re breaking the glass ceiling for a generation”. Former Footy Show star and Molan’s co-host Beau Ryan told <a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/">The Daily Telegraph</a> on Tuesday it is “bulls***” for trolls to blame the reporter for the decisions of Nine management. “That’s what happens to these reality stars … they get on there and think everything’s going to be rosy and then they get trolled and can get really down and dark. I saw that happen to Erin,” Ryan said. “She’s got a journalism background, she’s done nothing wrong and been trolled for her looks or what she’s done or said, or the show she’s working on, or the team she supports. And it took a toll on her.” Andrew Johns, a star analyst for Nine, disappeared from the network’s Friday coverage this season.

News

Dame Joan Collins is back

Dame Joan Collins, 86, is back in the spotlight after appearing in a major ad for the beauty campaign for makeup brand Charlotte Tilbury. The Hollywood star is seen smiling alongside younger models which advertises the celebrity make-up artist’s brand-new Airbrush Flawless Finish Foundation. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1b89G0gLIb/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1b89G0gLIb/" target="_blank">Darlings, just ONE MORE DAY until the launch of my NEW! AIRBRUSH FLAWLESS FOUNDATION and MAGIC VANISH Colour Correctors. These NEW! products are where MAKEUP MAGIC meets SKINCARE SCIENCE - I can’t wait for you all to experience the FLAWLESS FEELING 💫✨💓🤩💖!! I LOVE this incredible shot from my Airbrush Flawless Foundation campaign. Featuring 60 GORGEOUS men and women, from @joancollinsdbe to @missfamenyc, @mypaleskinblog and @chey_maya!! #FLAWLESSISAFEELING - - #CharlotteTilbury #AirbrushFlawlessFoundation #New #ComingSoon #FoundationLaunch #Makeup #Beauty</a> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/ctilburymakeup/" target="_blank"> Charlotte Tilbury, MBE</a> (@ctilburymakeup) on Aug 21, 2019 at 11:52am PDT </div> </blockquote> The foundation itself comes in 44 different shades and after the advertising campaign now has a 17,000 strong waitlist for the shades. The product is highly anticipated amongst the beauty community as it includes the Magic Replexium Serum that claims to reduce the appearance of wrinkles by up to 22 per cent after eight weeks of use. “I have worked with the best laboratories in the world to create my most miraculous skin-creation yet,” says Tilbury, according to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dazeddigital.com/beauty/head/article/45714/1/joan-collins-shines-in-new-charlotte-tilbury-foundation-campaign" target="_blank">Dazed</a>. “When I wear this foundation, people ask me if I have had work done! Have I been on holiday? No, no, no! It’s Airbrush Flawless Foundation.” Dame Joan Collins has been flawless since appearing on television at the age of nine. Scroll through the gallery to see how she’s aged (or hasn’t!) over the years.

Beauty & Style

Joan Collins on working in Hollywood in the 1960s: “The very thought was utterly repugnant”

TV and screen legend Joan Collins appeared on CBS recently and opened up about many aspects of her life, including her career and courtships, to roles such as Cleopatra and the casting couch. The actress, 85, was candid about her experiences as a film star in the light of the #MeToo movement. She revealed she was promised one of the biggest roles in film history as long as she slept with the producer. “There were some very, very big people who promised me this role if I would be ‘Nice’ to them,” she explained. “This was the casting couch. I was dancing with one of the men who was the head of the studio. And he said, ‘I can put you up in a nice little apartment and I will come and visit you and you’ll not only get all the best roles at Fox, but we will see that you get Cleopatra.” Collins revealed in a column for The Daily Mail in 2017 that this man was Buddy Adler, the then head of 20th Century Fox. Collins responded quick-wittedly: “I said, ‘Great idea, and I am here with my agent, Jay Kanter, let’s go talk to him about it.’” Collins was questioned on whether she was aware of her actions of denying these propositions and Collins explained she had long held firm on her values. “I was never, ever, ever going to settle for giving my body to some old man for a role, or even a young man or anybody. I would never do that, ever, ever,” she reiterated. In the column she recalled Adler’s response to this remark. He said “Honey, you have quite a sense of humour.” She replied with the same wit, saying, “And a sense of humour is all you’ll ever get from me.” This response cost her the role of Cleopatra, as Elizabeth Taylor landed the coveted gig playing the Egyptian Queen. Collins further discussed her experience in a column for The Daily Mail. “The head of 20th Studio Fox at the time, Buddy Adler, and the chairman of the board – a Greek gentleman old enough to be my grandfather – bombarded me with propositions and promises that the role was mine if I would be ‘nice to them,’” Collins wrote for The Daily Mail. “It was a euphemism prevalent in Hollywood. I couldn’t and I wouldn’t – the very thought of these old men was utterly repugnant. So, I dodged and I dived, and hid from them around the lot and made excuses while undergoing endless screen tests for the role of Egypt’s Queen.” Collins further opened up about her romances, from her love affair with Warren Beatty and on-set romance with Harry Belafonte to ranking her five husbands in the interview. Collins alluded to Warren Beatty as one who relished in his press. “We used to stop on Sunset Boulevard at the newsagents and Warren would look through modern screen and see if we had pictures in a magazine,” she recalled. The screen legend was asked if she was in love with Beatty and replied: “I think so. It’s like Prince Charles said, ‘Whatever love is.’” Later, on the set of Island In The Sun, Collins met Harry Belafonte and romance soon followed. Although Collins revealed John Forsyth on Dynasty wasn’t her biggest fan. “John didn’t like me,” Collins revealed. “John is old school and misogynistic, and a bit sexist. He frankly didn’t like this English woman and every person saying that she made the show.”

Movies

Australia’s "Mr Movies" Bill Collins dies aged 84

Bill Collins, Australia’s favourite film reviewer and TV presenter, has died at the age of 84. Better known as Mr Movies, the renowned presenter and interviewer of Foxtel’s Golden Years of Hollywood died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday. Foxtel has paid tribute to the legendary film critic and film historian, journalist, author and lecturer in a heartfelt statement. “Bill was 84 and lived a life filled with love and devotion for and from his family,” the announcement read. “It was also filled with passion for movies and Hollywood and all the adventures and opportunities associated with his 55-year career in the entertainment industry. “Bill introduced generations of Australians to the world of movies. “His passion for filmmaking, his eye for detail and his knowledge of the work of the great screen talents, added with his natural charisma and spirited presentations, turned watching a movie presented by Bill into an ‘event’.” More to come.

Movies

Radio host Brendan 'Jonesy' Jones reveals his family’s cancer battle heartache

Radio host Brendan 'Jonesy' Jones has candidly opened up about the cancer heartache that has plagued his own family, following his appearance on Channel Seven’s The Real Full Monty on Sunday night. The 50-year-old stripped down on stage with other Aussie stars to raise awareness for men’s health issues for the network’s one-off TV special. In an interview with <a href="https://au.be.yahoo.com/">Yahoo Be</a>, Jonesy said his father, Geoffrey, battled two different types of cancer and he hopes his story will encourage others to get checked regularly. “He was just very unlucky to get two different cancers. Prostate cancer is one thing, lung cancer is a different kettle of fish. Had he not got the lung cancer, he'd be still with us now,” the WFSM host said. “He had the prostate cancer and he got his checks regularly. “He probably got onto it a bit too late though, as far as getting the tests done. So really you should be getting it when you're 40, so I started getting my tests done when I was 40.” Sadly, Geoffrey passed away in September 2014. In the interview, Brendan also revealed how nervous he was to strip for yesterday’s The Real Full Monty. <img style="width: 0px; height:0px;" src="/nothing.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/e3f896b69a9847c085a72e2f91893227" /><img style="width: 500px; height:482.6498422712934px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7819967/1.jpg?width=500&height=482.6498422712934" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/e3f896b69a9847c085a72e2f91893227" /> The radio star said he got a spray tan for the event and decided to stand next to Kenny actor Shane Jacobson, rather than Jett Kenny or Kris Smith. AFL star Campbell Brown, actor Shane Jacobson, NRL great Matt Cooper, Sunrise’s Sam Mac, model Kris Smith, AFL commentator Brian ‘BT’ Taylor and Lisa Curry’s son, Jett Kenny, also took to the stage for the cause. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Blru05jAf6K/" data-instgrm-version="9"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 33.90625% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Blru05jAf6K/" target="_blank">A post shared by Shane Jacobson (@theshanejacobson)</a> on Jul 25, 2018 at 10:34pm PDT </div> </blockquote>

Caring

Brendan Jones reveals why he rejected co-hosting with Lisa Wilkinson

Radio host Brendan Jones has opened up in a new interview about why he won’t be making the permanent switch from radio to TV anytime soon. Speaking to <a href="https://au.be.yahoo.com/">Yahoo Be</a>, the Aussie radio star revealed that he was offered the chance to do a show with Lisa Wilkinson on Channel Seven in 1999. Despite getting along well with Lisa, Jonesy turned down the opportunity. He said: “It was a nice chemistry and then it just got to this point where they were saying, 'Would you leave radio for it?' and I said, 'Well no.’” “I've waited all my life to get to this point so I had to say no and I think it went to some swimmer or something in the end,” he added. The role was later filled by former Olympic swimmer, Duncan Armstrong. Despite enjoying his time hosting the Today show earlier this year, the 50-year-old explained why he would never ditch radio for TV. “Radio is the mother of all things and I would never leave radio to do solely TV because I don’t trust TV, I trust radio,” he said. Jonesy started his career in radio in the early 90s, working at the 2BCR Bankstown community radio station. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BikfKlgAcVQ/" data-instgrm-version="9"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BikfKlgAcVQ/" target="_blank">A post shared by Brendan Jones Amanda Keller (@jonesyandamanda)</a> on May 9, 2018 at 1:28pm PDT </div> </blockquote> He has since worked his way up to the top and now, presents on breakfast radio show WSFM 101.7 with co-host Amanda Keller. Although he is loyal to radio, Jonesy still makes TV appearances and is set to appear in Channel Seven’s one-off TV special The Real Fully Monty.

Farming hero Brendan Farrell breaks down over mate’s death in emotional video

Burrumbuttock Hay Runners founder Brendan Farrell is a hero to many in the outback. He delivers donated hay to drought-affected Aussie farmers but it means Brendan has seen first-hand the utter distress of famers in the midst of a crippling dry spells. But today, the hardened fourth-generation farmer broke down as he found out that one of his mates he had been helping on a rural NSW cattle farm had taken his own life. In a heart-wrenching Facebook video which has been viewed over 197,000 times and shared by over 4,000 people at the time of writing, the man who was recently awarded a Queen’s Birthday honour, said the news of the man’s death was a “real kick in the guts”. The pair first met when Brendan was delivering dog food in 2015 to drought-affected farmers in outback NSW. “I saw this old bloke at the side of the road,” he said. “I pulled up and said: ‘Mate, do you want some dog food? And, he said: ‘Yeah, righto.’ “I put five bags of dog food in the back of his Jeep and we got talking there and he had the oldest pair of wire strainers in the world. They must have seen more kilometres of wire than I can imagine.” The next time he was down that way, Brendan dropped off a pair of new wire strainers and a note telling the farmer to “keep his chin up”. The unnamed, single farmer was “gobsmacked” and the two stayed in touch ever since. <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fburrumbuttockhayrunners%2Fvideos%2F2079473492301830%2F&show_text=0&width=267" width="267" height="476" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe> “Bonds are formed in special ways and that’s what hurt,” Brendan said as his eyes filled with tears in the video. “It’s just a real kick in the guts today, that’s all. “To all those farmers who are thinking of doing something silly, think of a bond or a special moment.” Brendan added the pressure of drought “is absolutely horrendous” and took aim at the government and corporations for exacerbating the mental and physical strain on the nation’s farmers. “I’d been looking after this farmer for a while,” he said. “I thought I was winning the battle with this fella but depression is a very dark place – I’ve been there. “The problem is I can’t see a farmer ringing some random person in an office to spill out all their problems … I just don’t know which way you go with this.” He said he’d hand back his award in an instant to have this bloke back. ““Every award in Australia cannot bring a life back … I would hand back my award to have this bloke back,” he said. “He couldn’t get his cattle to market because they were too poor,” he later told <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/2018/06/21/15/54/hay-runner-left-devastated-by-suicide-of-cattle-farmer-mate">Nine News</a>. “He couldn’t sell his property because it was worth nothing. Couldn’t feed his cattle because he didn’t have enough money to buy the feed or the freight. So he is gone.” Brendan pleaded with farming families to hang in there and urged any person contemplating the worst to just stop and think of the repercussions for family, friends, children. “Think of a special moment, for Christ’s sake,” he begged. “Just keep getting up out of bed, put your shoes on and your hat on, because the sun keeps rising every day.” Lifeline 13 11 14

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The moment you missed: MasterChef’s Brendan Pang suffers horrifying accident

Last night’s episode of MasterChef Australia saw contestants complete a brunch challenge in teams. During the frantic challenge, 24-year-old Brendan Pang took a fall, smashing a glass bottle and cutting his hand open. <img width="498" height="415" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7818591/brendan-pang_498x415.jpg" alt="Brendan Pang"/> After seeing the amount of blood coming from the wound, Brendan knew he needed immediate medical attention. "There was a lot of blood," Brendan told <a href="https://www.nowtolove.com.au/tvweek" target="_blank">TV WEEK</a> of the incident. "It's probably the most horrifying injury I've ever had." Brendan’s teammates quickly came to his aid and he was sent straight to hospital. "I needed 13 stitches," he said. <img width="500" height="375" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7818592/2_500x375.jpg" alt="2 (82)"/> "[But] the pain came later on. I think in the moment of being in the MasterChef challenge I didn't really feel anything." Despite the injury, the Perth social worker was most worried about leaving his team one man down. "I was really disappointed," he said. "I wanted my team to win. I didn't want to let them down." However, his teammates were only concerned with Brendan’s safety. "They said, 'we'll do this for you,'" he said. "I know now my health comes first and I really had to leave." Luckily, Brendan didn’t suffer any severe damage to his hand and it has now healed. "I've been quite lucky. It's healed really nicely and my hand is fine. I didn't cut through any tendons or muscles.” Reflecting on the incident, Brendan found it humorous that he was able to avoid all the flames, knives and boiling water in the MasterChef kitchen but was then taken down by a bottle of olive oil. "It's kind of funny," he confessed. "It was just a freak accident."

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